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Firefighters emotional after 9/11 memorial race

Jim ScottNorth East & Cumbria
News imagePaul Bainbridge Four firefighters from the North East are wearing yellow hats, each with the Durham and Darlington Fire Service logo and crest. They have their thumbs up and are wearing full firefighting equipment. They are standing just past the finish line of the Tunnel to Towers 5K event, which features a gantry with a banner saying 'finish' and next to it, 'honouring 25 years'. Paul Bainbridge
The group of firefighters from the North East travelled to New York for the event

Firefighters have said they were left feeling emotional after they retraced the 5km (3 mile) journey of a fireman who died in the September 11 attacks in New York.

Jamie Smith was among those from the County Durham & Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) who took part in the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk on Sunday.

They, along with about 40,000 others, walked from Brooklyn to the World Trade Center in New York, recreating the final journey of FDNY fireman, Stephen Siller.

Smith, and a group of six serving firefighters from the North East, completed the journey in full equipment in heavy rainfall in aid of charity.

They have since raised more than £3,500 for The Fire Fighters Charity, which provides care and mental health support, and advice, to crews and their family.

"It was great, but a bit wet and soggy... the weather [was] awful in New York," said CDDFRS crew manager Paul Bainbridge.

However, he said it was "very emotional" as he and colleagues recreated the steps Siller took, which included travelling through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel.

Siller famously abandoned his car at the tunnel, before making the journey to the WTC on foot, while carrying about 30kg of equipment.

News imagePaul Bainbridge Jamie Smith, who is on the left, and wearing full firefighting equipment wrapped in a Union Jack stands next to colleague, Paul Bainbridge who is wearing a red shirt along with full firefighting equipment, and special badges. They are next to Stephen Siller's brother, Frank Siller, who runs the Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation. They are on a road in New York City, which leads to the World Trade Center.Paul Bainbridge
Jamie Smith (left) and Paul Bainbridge met Siller's brother, Frank, who runs the Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation

Upon exiting the tunnel, about 1,000 off-duty firefighters in full uniform waved participants through, and many held up pictures of colleagues who died in the attacks.

Smith, a watch manager at High Handenhold Fire Station, said the weather "didn't stop us" from completing the challenge, despite flooding in parts of the city.

Describing how it felt, he added: "You can't explain it, unless you come and see what I have just seen."

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